Role of Women Entrepreneurs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) in New Normal with Special Reference to West Bengal

Abstract

MSME sector plays a significant role in Indian economy to boost up employment opportunity, entrepreneurial endeavor, and betterment of the GDP, injecting positive growth in export and enhancing per capita income of the rural families of India. But, the poor participation of the women population is one of the major challenges for the overall growth of this sector. The aim of the paper is to show the status of the women MSME entrepreneurs of West Bengal as compared to other states of India. It also aims to find out the challenges faced by the women MSME entrepreneurs during this new normal and policies adopted by the Government to combat with the challenges. In new normal, MSMEs are facing a number of challenges like liquidity crisis, issues of migrating workers, scarcity of required inputs etc. Major schemes of the West Bengal Government like Banglashree, Karma Sathi Prakalpa etc. have played a game changer for the women entrepreneurs in MSMEs especially during the new normal. The ‘Silpa Disha’ mobile app as well as the ‘Silpa Sathi’ window portal was launched.